Washington’s Presidency and the Development of Political Parties

President George Washington Organizing the Federal Government Cabinet of Advisors – began the practice of cabinet meetings as basis for President obtaining advice and information Federal Court System Supreme Court Judiciary Act of 1789

Hamilton, Secretary of Treasury Bank and Debt Hamilton’s Plan Pay off national debt and national gov’t assume state debts High tariffs to protect industry and collect adequate revenue Create a national bank

Foreign Policy French Revolution – should U.S. support France, France’s enemies or neither side Proclamation of 1793 – neutrality – Jefferson resigns his position in disagreement Jay Treaty (1794) – Britain will evacuate posts on western front – but nothing about seizures; kept US at peace-angered supporters of France Pinckney Treaty (1795) – opened up trade for US in New Orleans – right of deposit without duties

Domestic Concerns Native Americans Resisted western encroachment – Battle of Fallen Timbers defeated Shawnee – Treaty of Greenville Native Americans surrendered claims of Ohio Territory Whiskey Rebellion (1794) Farmers refused to pay tax by attacking revenue collectors – put down with show of big force Western Lands Public Land Act of 1796 established procedures for selling federal lands – gov’t encouraged westward movement Vermont, Tennessee, and Kentucky become states

Political Parties emerge Colonial times temporary factions would emerge – vote together for or against a specific policy and then disband Political parties formed around two primary leaders – Hamilton and Jefferson French revolution sharply divided nation and contributed to the creation of parties

Conflicting Visions: Alexander Hamilton Secretary of the Treasury Believed strong central government preserves national independence Envisioned U.S. as an industrial power Feared the common people; he was an elitist

Conflicting Visions: Thomas Jefferson Secretary of State under Washington Believed limited government preserves liberty Envisioned U.S. as an agrarian (farming) nation Trusted the common people

Political Parties Develop Federalists(Hamilton) Pessimistic view of human nature Wanted a rich, well-born aristocracy to rule based on birth, wealth, and status Strong national government Loose interpretation of the Constitution Industrial, urban centered economy Government gives aid to business Pro-British Republicans (Jefferson) Optimistic view of human nature A natural aristocracy based on talent and virtue Local, states’ rights; limited central government Strict interpretation of the Constitution Farming, rural centered economy Government neither aids or regulates business; laissez-faire Pro-French

Washington’s Farewell Address Wrote about practices and policies he considered unwise not to get involved in European affairs Against making permanent alliances in foreign affairs Not to form political parties Avoid sectionalism

Washington created a strong, independent presidency rejected the argument for states’ rights Wanted a strong, national government Resisted any attempts to restrict his presidential powers By his second term most Americans saw Washington as a Federalist; no longer “above party lines” Apotheosis of Washington

John Adams, 2 nd President Adams - Federalist candidate Jefferson – Democratic Republicans candidate Adams wins by 3 electoral votes – Jefferson becomes vice president

XYZ Affair French seizing ships – Adams sends diplomats to resolve issue French ministers requested bribes for entering into negotiations “Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute” Adams resisted sentiment for war and sent new ministers to Paris and avoided war

Alien and Sedition Acts Federalists won a majority of seats in 1798 in both houses Take advantage by enacting laws to restrict their political opponents – Democratic Republicans Federalist adopted 2 laws Naturalization Act – increased citizenship requirement from 5 years to 14 years Alien Act -President could deport Aliens considered dangerous Sedition Act – made it illegal for newspapers to criticize the president or Congress – fines and/or imprisonment

Kentucky (Jefferson) and Virginia (Madison) Resolutions Republican leaders challenged the federalist Congress by enacting nullifying laws of their own in the state legislatures Both resolutions declared that the states had entered into a “compact” in forming the national government and therefore if any act of the federal government broke that compact, a state could nullify the federal law. Set forth the argument and rationale that would be widely used in the nullification controversy of the 1830s